Three Chords and The Truth

I have long been wanting to live in Nashville, Tennessee. I made my record here, and have always felt like this place was magical. Old and wise trees and fecund greenery cascade over this land. I never questioned why some of my favorite musicians new and old flocked to this area to make great music.

Before Covid, it was my plan to sublease my place in Colorado and spend the month of May testing the waters, and seeing if I could potentially live in Nashville. Colorado is its own playground, and though I had been there for 4 years, I had barely skimmed the surface of its vastness. It was hard to imagine ever leaving.

When all future plans felt like they were pulled out from underneath, and the tide of uncertainty began to intensify, I decided, it was time to jump in fully. Even though the waters felt unclear, I knew inside of my gut that my heart and soul called me to be okay with being uncomfortable for a while. Yes, my mind babbled a cacophony of fear in every moment leading up to my move. I heard it, paused, and I asked my heart, is that thought true? Usually, not.

With every safety measure in place, and with great care and consideration, I moved by myself to a place in Nashville, away from all I previously knew, but closer to the heartbeat of Americana music. I have been quarantined, sheltered in place here in a beautiful little neighborhood in East Nashville.

Everything is uncertain, who knows what’s going to happen, today tomorrow- ever. We don’t get to know. We never got to know, but now, it’s as if the veil has been lifted for us to see this clearer than ever. All I know is that when I arrived here, my body and heart thanked me…not even knowing how or when music will even pick up once again to the way we once knew.  But I know, music and art are more important than ever before. The thought occurred to me, this might be one of the rare times in history where all of the musicians who are living here in Nashville, are actually around. And that’s pretty wild to think about, even though I can’t socialize with any of them at this time! (side note, I do have a few pretty awesome music neighbors I have said hi to a few times now at a distance <3)

I realize how privileged I am to make music, teach voice lessons from home and still maintain some semblance of “normalcy” at this time. It is not that way for everyone, I recognize that. 

All those working in the front lines of danger, all those folks who have to go out and work, many of you who have supported me and my music, I am incredibly grateful for you on a human level, and I see you. Thank you for what you do. It’s not lost on me, or the greater community. 

I am here now in Nashville, writing and working on new music, coming back to the heart of what I love about it, teaching others the joy of music from home, and gaining some powerful insights in this solitude. 

Right when we started shelter in place, I realized it was those classic old country tunes that helped me to feel good and come back to myself. I’ve heard it said, Country music is just three chords and the truth. That’s what I am after right now: simple truth. 

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are safe, happy, and healthy. I would love to hear how you are, truly. 


alexa